Trust & safety
Trust scores and ID verification, explained
How Rentsome’s 0–5 trust score is calculated, what identity verification changes (deposits from 30% to 25%, higher rental limits), and how to raise your score.
Every Rentsome account has a trust score from 0 to 5. Owners see it before approving a request, and it decides two things for renters: how big the security deposit is and how much you can book in one transaction. It is calculated from things you control, so it is worth understanding.
How the score is built
- Verification, up to 2.0 points: identity verification through Stripe Identity is worth 1.5; a connected payout account is worth 0.5.
- History, up to 1.5 points: account age and the number of completed bookings.
- Reviews, up to 1.0 point: your average rating and how many reviews you have.
- Responsiveness, up to 0.5 points: how reliably and quickly you reply to messages.
- Penalties: no-shows and late cancellations subtract points.
What the tiers mean
- New (below 1.0): deposit 30% of item value, rental limit $300 per transaction without verification.
- Basic (1.0+): deposit 25%, limit $750. Verifying your identity alone typically gets you here.
- Good (2.5+): deposit 20%, limit $1,200.
- Excellent (3.5+): deposit 15%, limit $2,000.
- Elite (4.5+): deposit 10%, limit $5,000.
Deposits are always capped at $2,000 regardless of tier. A verified account that has not connected a payout method has a $500 limit until it does.
What identity verification involves
Verification runs through Stripe Identity inside the Rentsome app: you photograph a government ID and take a selfie, and Stripe confirms they match. Rentsome never sees or stores your ID images; it only learns whether you passed. It is required to list items declared above $500 in value and to receive payouts, and it is the single fastest way to lower your deposits.
How to raise your score
- 1Verify your identity and connect a payout account. That is up to 2.0 points on day one.
- 2Complete bookings on time. Every completed rental adds history; every late return or no-show costs you.
- 3Ask for reviews after a smooth rental, and leave them too — both sides review each other.
- 4Reply to messages promptly, even to say no.
For the deposit mechanics themselves, read how security deposits work.
Frequently asked
Is identity verification required to rent?
Not for items under $300 per transaction. It is required above that, to list items declared over $500, and to receive payouts as an owner.
Does verifying my identity cost anything?
No. It takes a couple of minutes in the Rentsome app.
Can my score go down?
Yes. No-shows and late cancellations subtract points, and a low average rating limits the reviews component. Reliable rentals and good reviews recover it.
Borrow it from a neighbor instead.
Deposit-protected bookings, priced by the day.
Keep reading
How security deposits work on peer-to-peer rentals
What a rental deposit is, how Rentsome sizes it (30% down to 10% of item value, capped at $2,000), why it is a hold rather than a charge, and when it is released.
Renting a camera for a trip: what to know before you book
Which camera to rent for travel, what to ask the owner, and how deposits and ID verification work for higher-value gear.
How to list an item on Rentsome and get your first booking
Photos that get clicks, a description that answers the questions renters actually have, and the approvals and payout setup you need before the first request arrives.